Machine fob impressing characters on stencil-blanks



S. ELLIOTT. MAcHNE FOR l-MPREssING CHARACTERS 0N sTEmclL4 BLANKS.

APPLICATION ,FILED OCT. 27| 1916 1,378,771 4Patented May 17, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEETI.

A vveizar. /v/). @mw fm@ S. ELLIOTT.

MACHINE FOR IMPRESSING CHARACTERS 0N STENCIL BLANKS APPLlcATloNrILED ocT. 21. Isls.

1,378,771 f Patented May 17, 1921.

2 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

i rh i Zlvezon PATENT orrlcr.A

i STERLING ELLIOTT, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

'MCHINE Fort-IMPRESSING CHARACTERS oN sTENoIL-BLANKS;

Specification of LettersV Patent.

APatented May 17, 1921.

Application led October 27, 1916. Serial vNo. 128,122.

l To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, STERLING ELLior'r,

la citizen of theUnited States, residingat Newton, in Athe county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Impressing Characters on Stencil-Blanks, of which the following is a specification.

Many stencils adapted for use with addressing machines have theladdresses impressed'v upon them by meansof a typewriting machine, or machine having the charac- Vteristics of a typewriting machine. When impressing an address, the stencil-blank is arranged on or wrapped about the cylinder c of the typewriting machine, and consequently is bentinto-circular form, and such bending of the blank is objectionable for the reason that the usual addressing machines require thestencils to be arranged in fiat form, and when they have been once bent and thelibrous structure of the paper consequently distorted,` itis Vvery dificult to restore them to flat form.

` This invention has for one of its objects the provision of holding-means adapted ,to be applied to a typewriting machine and adapted to holda stencil in flat form, in

tangential relation to the surface of the cylinderof the typewriting machine, for

Vcorrect engagement therewith by the usual type keys preferably in front of the cylinder; Ysaidholder being connected with the usual carriage of the typewriting machineA and adapted to be moved along with it, step by step, as the type-keys `are operated.

Another object of the invention is the 'provision' of line-spacing means associated with the holding-means for the stencilblank, by which the stencil-blank may be moved to different elevations to present different portions thereof to the type-keys for the different lines, Y v c Another object of the invention is the provision of means for automatically restoring the line-spacing means to normal position when the holding means is operated to disengagethe stencil-blank, so that each time a stencil-blank irs-placed in engagement with the holding-means the line-spacing means adapted 'pressed by the type.

will be in correct impressing operation.

Another object of the invention is the `provision of means for depositing carbon on the back of the stencil-blank in areas corresponding to the areas of the type, so that impressionsV on the stencil-blank will be visible. Figure 1 is a vertical section of the portion of a typewriting machine having holding-means for a stencil-blank embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the holdingmeans.

Fig. 3 is an VVenlarged or full-sized front elevation of the holding-means.`

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary details of the holding-means to be referred to.

Referring to Fig. 1, wherein a portion of a typewriting machine of ordinary construction is shown, 10 represents the machineframe, 11 oneof the pivoted type-bars for movement toward and from the cylinder 12, and 13 is a type-key for operating the type-bar 11. The machine herein represented is adapted for visible writing, but it is obvious that other forms of typewriting machines may be employed.

15 represents the stencil-blank of ordinary construction upon which characters, which may form an address, are adapted to be im- In Figs. 1 and 4, said blank 15l is adapted to be held in flat form, and in tangential relation to the surface of a cylinder 12, and, as here shown, in front of said cylinder so that when struck by the t e the impressed address will be visible.

lSaid blank is held by a suitable holdingmeans borne by the carriage 24, and is Inovable with said carriage, and comprises a clamping device adapted to engage the blank and line-spacing means associated therewith. As here shown, said clampingdevice comprises a pair of stationary jaw-v members 18, for engaging the rear side of lthe end-portion of the blank having lateral extensions 19, with forwardly extended vears 20, which engage the edges of the blanlqat opposite ends thereof, and'locate the blank 'with respect to the clampingposition to begin the typedevice. Said stationary jaw-members are 'formed or provided at the extremities ot a pair ot traine-bars 2l, which are pivoted at 22, to projections 23 extended rearward from the typewriter carriage rlhese Y frame-bars are rigidly secured together 'by a rod 25, and also the pivot-rod 22, and by be hereinafter dewith the rear jaw-members or. with a stencil-blank which may be c isposed betiveen them b liat sirinn's 28 attached to the Ytrame-bars at one end the oppor-:ite or 7 L free ends of which bars bear upon the iront Jaw-members, thus the stencil-blank is adapted to be held normally by the springpressed Jaw-members. As here shown, said Jaw-members are arranged above and at the iront ot the c dmder 12 so to hold the `stencil-blank in a vertical position in iront of the cylinder, and in tangential relation to the surface thereoitl tor visible impression of the type, as `represented in Fig. 4.

The front atv-members are adapted to be movedV outwardly by means adapted, 'for manual operation, and, as here shown, said operating means consists ot a yolre 3l), see Fig. 3, arranged between the tramebars 2l, and loosely mounted on the rod 27, having the extremities ot its short arms extended laterally, as at 3l, to term projections which extend beneath or in rear oit' the movable front jatvemembers 26, for engagement with said-members, to move them outwardly and disengage the stencil-blank. Said yoke has arranged on it, intermediate its length, an arm 32, and said arm is disposed in 'iront ot an arm 33, fixed to a cross-bar 34, arranged betiveen the traine-bars 2l., so that the tivo arms may be grasped by he lingers and thumb, and pressure exerted upon the iront arm 32, thereby to rock the yoke and inove i the iront jaw-members to disengafgje the stencil-blank. Said operating-means, as here shown, is adapted to be restored to normal position by gravity.

The stencil-blank while held by the clamping-device will be moved vertically, step by step, tor spacing the several lines ot an address, and tor this purpose a line-spacing means is provided which, as shown, is adapted for manual operation. The line-spacing means may comprise a roll 35, see Figs. 4 and 6, journaled vin an ear 36, iixed to a hub 37, secured to a rodBS, which is secured at its ends to the end-portions 89, of a yol: 40, which is in turn secured to upright ears, on the carriage 24. Said roll 35 is thus movable bodily with the carriage and is Yfreely rotatable and serves as a roller support, and receives'upon it a cam 4l, which is supported by the pivoted traine-bars, and thus supports said trame-bars and parts borne by them in an elevated position. Said cam is made oit a varying radius, so that as it is turned the :trame-bars and clamping-device supported thereby will be raised to and held at dil'erent elevations, lto correspondingly vary the elevation ot and hold the stencilblaiili. i

rihecain 4l is secured to a shait 42, see Fig. 5, having its bearings in the tramebars 2l, and said shaft has secured to it at one end a lrnurled head aoapted to be engaged and turned by the fingers, when desired, to rotate the cam and lift the clamping-device. The cam 4l normally rests. against a fixed pin 5l, on the trame-bar, in which position that portion thereof ot shortest radius will engage the roll 35. and When it is desired to move the stencil-blank bodily in an upward direction, to present another portion thereof to the ty 3e, the shaft 42 will be turned to correspondingly rotate the cani. A spring 57 is arranged about the shait 42, and connected at one end therewith and at the other end to the frame-bar, which acts to hold the cam 4l against the Fixed pin 51, or to turn the shaft 42 backward until theV cam rengages said fixed pin 5l, in case it has been rotated forwardly to correspondingly turn the cam.

`Means are associated with said shaft 42, ay which it is adapted to be held against backward rotation and also in several dilierent elevated positions to predetermine the position ot the lines. Said means, here shown, consists of a Wheel 43, adapted for connection with the shaift 42, having ratchet. teeth on its periphery adapted to Vbe engaged by a detent 44, on an. arm 45, which is loosely pivoted at 46, to one ot' the tramebars 2l. Said detent arm has a limited movement only on its pivot by reason otl the slotted end-portion 47, see Fig. 2, engaging a Vpin 48, on the trame-bar. The detent acts to hold the ratchet-toothed .vheel in any position it may be setz,V by the rotation ot the shaft 42, but permits turning movement in one direction only.

The teeth on said wheel are arranged in groups, here shown as three in number, and

each group has a different number' oi' teeth, as for instance, one group may have three teeth, another group tour teeth, and another tive teeth, and each group of teeth includes approximately the same are orportion ot the Wheel, so that the teeth of the several groups may vary in length. This provides for varying the number oit lines and also ior spacing the lines more or less Widely apart.

The last'tooth of each group is made higher than the remaining teeth Vlot the group, see Fig. 4t and said high teeth serve as stops to check furtherrotation of the ratchet-wheel by a turning movement of the yshaft 42and the limi'tedmovement of the f detent-arm is such that the detent may be lfurther advancing movement of the ratchet Vwheel is prevented.V Said-wheel, however, is

V'adapted t0 be vreset automatically by means to-be hereinafter described. Said wheel is also adaptedjto be moved or adjusted rela- -tivelylto the shaft to bring' its differentV groups vof teeth into coperative relation with the detent, and, as here shown, it is i mounted to slide longitudinally on-the shaft fora short distance, and is connected therewith by a spring 49, which latter acts to draw it 'onto the shaft against the cam ell, or other abutment, and it isadapted to be held from'rotation on the shaft by a pin 50,

projecting from the cam or other abutment, vwhich enters one or another hole in the hub of the toothed wheel. There areas many holes provided as there aregroups of teeth on 'the wheel, By this structure, the wheel may be drawn outward by thefingers engaging a knurled head thereon, against the action of the spring 49', far enough to disengage the pin 50, whereupon it may beturned to bring any other hole into position to receive said Apin, and consequently any of the several groups of teeth vinto positionfor engagement with the detent. When set in any osition, it will be turned with the shaft. The

[ratchet-wheel 4:3, having been moved to bring any of its groups of'teeth into position for coperation withthe detent, it willV beheld with the cam 4l in engagement with the pin 5l, by the spring`57, and the detent will engage thev irst tooth of the group. The first-line of the address may then be impressedon thel stencil-blank by the type. Then the shaft 42'will be' turned a distance corresponding tov one 'of` the teeth -c'ffthe Vwheel 43, whereupon the detent will pass over the firstA tooth and willengage the second tcoth andthe cam will be corre- Y spondingly movedto/lift the clamping-device bearing thestencil-blanlr intoposition forth@k next line. This operation may be repeated for the different lines. or until the full number of teeth of the group vhaiffe been `successively vbrought Vinto detent-engaging positiomqwhereupon the .hlgh tooth at the.'A

end of the groupfof teeth will be brought yinto detent-engaging position, over which said'detent4 cannot pass, whereupon the intermittent movementV of the `line-spacing means ceases.

the type and it is desiredtoremove it'from v the clamping-device. the clamping device l,is

operated toaecomplSll this result? as above set forth, and at such time the line-spacing means is also adapted to be operated automatically and is caused to resume its normal position. For the accomplishment of this result, suitable connecting means are provided between the detent-arm and the clamping-device by which said arm will be lifted and its vdetent removed from engagement with the toothed wheel by a movement of the clamping-device.

Referring to Fig. 4;, the detent-arm 45 has connected with it one' end of a link 55, `the 'other end ofwhich is loosely connected with anear 56, on one of the-movable jaw-members, so that Yupon movement of said me-mber, the detent-arm will be correspondingly imoved and the toothed wheel disengaged.

The toothed-wheel, cam, and cam-shaft 12 are then free to be rotated by the spring 57 to normal position,the cam Vengaging-the pin 51', and the first tooth of the group of `teeth engaging the detent 14.

It isherein designed to deposit carbonon the back of the stencil-blank, in areas corresponding to the areas ofthe type, so that the type impressions may be visible at the front of the stencil-blank, and herein a strip of carbon-paperGO is provided which is arranged infroll form in a ho'llowcylinder 6l, and is adapted to be drawn from the roll over a guide 62, and then around the cylinder 12, and then Aover the topV of the hollow cylinder 61, and for the purpose of holding said carbon-strip on the cylinder `12, a roll 65,1see Fig. 6, may be employed,

which is loosely mounted on a lrod 6G, sup- Aported at its ends in bearing-strips 67,

which are Vextended. from a sleeve 68, mount- :ed for convenience `on the rod 38, and said roll is held pressed against the' cylinder 12, or carbon-paper thereon, by a spring 69. Said bearing-strips '67 may be extended at the other side of'the sleeve and adapted to pivotally support an arm 70, which extends upward and has a weighted end-portion Voverlying the hollow cylinder 61, which is employed vto hold the used portion of the carbon-stripcut of the way.

Iclaim:- y Y 1. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanksLthe combination with the -cvlinder of a tvpewritinp' machine. a car- I J, m

riage, and a set of type. of holding-means borne by the carriage and vertically movably arranged 4adjacent andindcpendent of the' cylinder and adapted to engage andclamp aA stencil-blankand hold it in fiat form in tangential Vrelation to the surface for vthe cylinder.

2. Ina machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks. the combination with the After the stencil has been impressed by Y cylinder cf a typewriting machine. a carriage, and a set of type. of holding means able independent of the cylinder and arranged to engage and clamp the edge of a stencil-blank and hold it in flat form, in iront of and in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder.

3. in a machine :for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination With the cylinder of a. typewriting machine, a carriage,and a set ot type, oi' a clamping-device borne by and extended above the carriage arranged to engage and clamp the upper edge-portion of a stencil-blank, and means lor supporting said clamping-device above the cylinder with the stencil-blank carried by it arranged in tangential relation to the snrtace of the cylinder.

4r. ln a machine for impressingcharacters on stencil-blanks, the combination With the cylinder of a typewriting machine having line spacing means, a carriage, and a set of type, ot holding-means borne by the carriage and arranged adjacent the cylinder, and adapted to hold a stencil-blank in flat form in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder,V and separate line-spacing` means borne by the holding-means adapted ior intermittent operation. Y

5. ln a machine for impressing characters .on stencil-blanks, the combination With the cylinder of ay typewriting machine, a carriage, and a set or type, oit holding-means borne by the carriage and arranged adjacent the cylinder and adapted to hold a stencilblank in flat form, in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder, line-spacing means independent of thecylinder arranged Vwith said holding-means having rotatable actuating-means arranged for operation to raise the holding-means step-by-step, thus to bodily litt the stencil-blank step by step. 6. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder oi a typewriting machine, a carriage, and a set of type, of a clamping-device borne by the carriage arranged to engage the upper edge-portion of a stencilblanl, and means for supporting said clamping-device adjacent'the cylinder VWith the stencilnblanlr carried byit arranged in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder, and line-spacing means independent of the cylinder borne by said clamping-device, adapted .for moving said device bodily step by step.

7. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder of a typervriting machine, a carriage, and a set ot type, of a clamping-device borne by the carriage arranged'to engage the upper edge-portion of a stencil` blank, and means for supporting said clamping-device adjacent the cylinder with the stencil-blank carried by it arranged in tangential relation to the surface oi the cylinder, and line-spacing means arranged with said clamping-device, adapted for moving said device bodily step-by-step, and means connecting` said line-spacing device With said clampingclevice, whereby the former is adapted to be automatically restored to normal position subsequent to the completion of the impressedV stencil. e

S. ln a machine lor impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder or" a typevvriting machine, a carriage, and a set or type, of a pivotally supported clamping-device borne by the cylinderfsupporting carriage, arranged to engage and clamp the upper edge-portion of a stencilfblanlr and hold the blank inflat form in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder. Y

9. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder of a typeivriting machine, a carriage, and a set of type, of a pivotally supported clamping-device borne by the cylinder-supporting carriage, adapted to engage and clamp the upper edge-portion of a stencil-blank and hold the blank in flat form 10. ln a machine for impressing charac-l ters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder of a typevvriting machine, a carriage, and a set of type, of a pivotally supported clamping-device borne by the carriage, arranged to engage the upper edgenortion of a stencil-blank and hold the blank in tangential relation to the surface of' the cylinder, movable aw members included in said clamping` device, and linespacing means connected With said clamping-device for moving it intermittently in a vertical direction, said line-spacing means being` automatically restored to normal by movement of the movable jaw-members of the ciamping-device. Y

.11. ln a machine for impressing charac, ters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder of a typewriting machine, a carriage, and a set of type, of a pivotally supported clamping-device borne by the carriage adapted to engage the edge-portion of a stencil-blank, and hold the blanlr in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder, and linefspacing means carried by said clamping-device for moving it intermittently in a vertical direction, and means connecting said line-spacing device with the movable jawmembers oi' the clamping-device, Whereby the Jformer is moved by the latter and permitted to resume its normal position. v

12. ln a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder of a typewriting machine, a

carriage, and a set of type, of a -movably supported clamping-device borne by the carriage, adapted to engage a stencil-blank, and hold the blankin flat form, in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder, abearing, andy cam engaging the bearing for holding the clamping-device in a predeterengaging the bearing for holding the clamping device in a predetermined position, means for rotating said vcam to lift the clamping-device, a spring for restoring said cam to normal position, and means connecting said clamping-device with the actuating means for the cam, whereby the spring is permitted to act and restore the cam.

14. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination with the cylinder of a typewriting machine, a carriage, and a set or' type, or' a pivotally supported clamping-device borne by the carriage adapted to engage a stenen-blank and hold it in flat form in tangential relation toV the surface of the cylinder, a cam associated With the Vclamping-device, a bearing on which said cam rests, means for rotating said cam to bodily lift the clamping-device and stencil-blank borne by it,a ratchet- Wheel arranged on the cam-shaft, a detent therefor adapted to hold the cam in diiierent predetermined position, to hold the clamping-device in different elevated positions.V

15. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination with thev cylinder of a typewriting machine, a carriage, and a set or' type, of a pivotally supported clamping-device borne by the carriage adapted to engage a stencil-blank and hold it in liat form in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder, a camfassociated with the y clamping-device, a bearing on Which'said cam rests, means for rotating said cam to bodily'lift the clamping-device and stencil-blank borne by it, a ratchet-wheel having a plurality ofV groups of ratchetteeth, the teeth of each group varying' in number, said Wheel being adjustably arranged on the cam-shaft, and a detent therefor adapted tohold the cam in different elevated positions. v

16. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the combination With the cylinder of a typewriting machine, a carriage, and a set of type, of a pivotally supported clamping-device borne by the carriage, adapted to engage a stencil-blank and hold it in flat form in tangential relation to the surface of. the cylinder, a cam associated with the clamping-device, a bearing on which said cam rests, means for rotating said cam to bodily litt the clamping-device and stencil-blank borne by it, a ratchet- Wheel arranged on the cam-shaft, a detent therefor adapted to hold the cam in difterent predetermined positions, to hold the clamping-device in. different elevated positions, and means for disengaging the detent on the ratchet-Wheel, a spring'ror returning the cam-shaft and parts connected there- With to normal position when the ratchetwheel is disengaged.

17. In a machine for impressing charactersA on stencil-blanks, the combination With the cylinder or a typewriting machine, a carriage, and a set of type, of a1 pivotally supported clamping device borne by the carriage adapted to engage a stencil-blank and hold it in Vflat form in tangential relation to the surface of the cylinder, a cam as'- sociated With-the vclamping-device, a bearing on Which said cam rests, means for rotating said cani Vto bodily lift the clamping-device and stencil-blank borne by it, a ratchet- Wheel arranged on the cam-shalt, a detent therefor adapted to hold the cam in diiierentl predetermined positions, to hold the clamping-device in different elevated positions, means connected vwith a movable element of the clamping-device for disengaging the cletent from the ratchet-Wheel, and means for returning the cam-shaft and -parts connected therewith to normal when the ratchet-Wheel is disengaged.

18. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, the Vcombination with the cylinder of atypeivriting machine, a carriage, and a set of type, of holdingmeans borne by the carriage and arranged adjacent the cylinder and adapted to hold a stencil-blank in iat form in tangential re- Y lation to the surface or the cylinder, a hollou'Y cylinder adapted to contain the roll of carbon-paper in strip form, guiding-means for fsaid strip, said carbon-strip being adapted to extend around the cylinder, and means to support and guide the free used end-portion of said strip.

19. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, in combination with blank-holding means, and a set of type, of line-spacing means associated with said holding means operable to advance the stencil-blank relative to the type including a ratchet-Wheel having a plurality of groups of teeth, each group occupying a substantially equal'extent of the periphery, certain ot said groups having differing numbers of teeth7 and a pavvl to engage said teeth.

20. In a machine for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, in combination with blank-holding means, and a set of type, of

IIO

line-spacing means associated with said holding means operable to advance the stencil-blank relative to the type including a ratchetvheel having a plurality oi groups of teeth, each group occupying a substantially equal extent oi the periphery, certain of said groups having diil'ering numbers oit' teeth, a pawl engageable with said teeth, means toV adjust said spacing means for the engagement of said paivl With a particular group o' tee-th of said ratchet wheel, and means to prevent engagement of said pawl with teeth et' other groups on said Wheel.

2l. In a machine 'for impressing characters on stencil-blanks, in combination with blank-holding means, and a set of type, of

pivotally-supported line spacing means assoeiated with said holding means operable to advance the steneilfblank relative to the type including an operating shaft, a ratchet- Wheel rotatably carried thereby having a plurality of groups of teeth, each group oecupying a substantially equal extent of the periphery, certain of said groups having diiiering numbers of teeth, a paivl engageable with said teeth, said ratchet Wheel formed with stops separating each group of teeth engageable With said pafWl to restrict further movement of said wheel, and means to prevent the manual disengagement of said Wheel from saidshatt for its independend rotation to present a different group of teeth to be engaged by said pawl, and its subsequent driving rengagement therewith in a relatively moved position.

ln testimony whereof, l have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

STERLING ELLOTT. Witnesses B. el. Noms, H. B. Davis. 

